Just called to say 'pay your tax'

THE Inland Revenue is set to become more proactive in chasing up self assessment taxpayers. It has announced it will be telephoning people who have not submitted their returns starting next month.

The tax office says it will be targeting three main groups first: those who had been late filing their 1999/2000 tax return, new self assessment taxpayers and self assessment taxpayers also in the construction industry scheme.

In each case, the Revenue will phone those who have not yet filed their 2000/2001 tax return to remind them of the 31 January filing deadline.

If the taxpayer is represented by an agent, the Inland Revenue will also ask if they have sent all the information needed to enable their agent to complete the tax return. If not, they will be asked to do so as soon as possible, or contact their agent straight away if there is a problem with this.

The Revenue says it hopes the new phone initiative - which will also be backed up with reminder letters - will enable it to make quicker and more effective contact with those taxpayers who may be late filing their returns.

The move forms part of a wider strategy by the Revenue to crack down on tax evasion and bring in penalties where forms are filled in wrong. Click here to read more about it.